Things to Do Before Hiring a

Real Estate Agent

 

Whether you’re in the market to buy or sell your house, there are many real estate agents who would be happy to help you find your perfect home. But now’s not the time to rush into anything, including hiring an agent. There are a few things you should do before bringing a real estate agent on board. Read on for Advanced Realty’s top recommendations for what homebuyers and sellers should do prior to hiring a real estate agent.

 

Visit Open Houses

 

Regardless of whether you prefer to be in the city, the suburbs, or the country, the same rule applies: You owe it to yourself to visit open houses throughout the area you’ve chosen. HGTV recommends blocking off an entire day to look at multiple homes. This helps give you a better idea of what is available. That way, you’ll understand what to budget for, what you’re looking for in a home (and how to articulate that), and what’s realistic in your area of town or outside the city limits.

 

Talk to Lenders

 

This is an important first step that many first-time homebuyers fail to realize. Always, always talk to lenders and get pre-approval before you contact a realtor or start shopping for homes. It’s tricky for first-time buyers and younger people to purchase homes in today’s market, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Definitely research your options and speak to lenders about pre-approval before starting the process.

 

Also discuss how to get the lowest interest rate on the home loan, including paying points on the mortgage. This can lead to lower mortgage payments month to month. As Rate.com points out, the general rule of thumb is the longer you expect to own your home, the more likely paying for points will pay off for you.

Choose the Right Real Estate Agent

 

There is a time and a place for doing it all yourself, but when it comes to home-buying or selling, you might still want to hire a real estate agent. Forbes even cautions that “flying solo” is a bad financial choice for many people, even in today’s DIY-focused digital world.

Of course, you don’t want to work with just any agent. Buyers and sellers should be picky about which real estate agents they work with. The home-buying and selling processes are stressful enough without working with the wrong (or shady) realtor. American Home Shield suggests asking these questions of prospective agents:

 

How long have you been in the business and when was your last successful transaction for a home buyer?

What special qualifications or certifications do you have?

What can you tell me about the current state of the real estate market and the local areas of interest? What would you say is the first, most important step for the home buying process?

Do you charge any upfront fees?

What method of communication do you utilize most, and how flexible is your schedule?

On average, how long does the home does buying process usually take for you and your clients?

Will you represent the buyer and the seller during the transaction?

Will you provide referrals and recommendations for lenders, home inspectors, contractors, etc.?

 Are you active on social media and if so, where?

 

 

Hire a Home Inspector

Hiring a home inspector is a pretty common process for those who are buying a home. However, it’s also important for sellers to hire a home inspector before putting your home on the market. That way, you can fix any issues that may arise or, at the very least, price accordingly. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a typical home inspection costs $300 to $500.

By completing the steps listed above, you’ll be in a good position to work with a local real estate agent to find your dream home. In the end, after all the open houses, all the paperwork, and all the packing and unpacking is over, chances are you won’t have any regrets about choosing and hiring the right agent.